Hi Tecate,

Welcome to F-150 Online!

This has been a great thread with regards to the demands of towing. Here we see that what it takes to tow a load and stay in Overdrive is actually very demanding on these engines. At 60 mph in Overdrive, the rpms are so low that you're barely into any part of the torque curve, and then adding the towed weight behind the vehicle really does try it's capabililties. The amount of torque being produced at those very low rpms, versus the effective load the powertrain is under, is of course why they drop down out of Overdrive to be able to satisfy throtle demand, I.E., the cruise control setting.

Because the Superchip increases available torque at any throttle positon, it can help in these situations, and this thread is an excellent example of that. How much it will help in your particular situation of course remains to be seen, so we'll be very interested in seeing your results there. What usually happens is that in some areas is will no longer downshift out of Overdrive, being able to maintain velocity without downshifting, and in other situations it will still downshift, but later than it used to, or under a heavier load. The end result simply gets down to how much torque can be produced on light throttle at low rpms, when engines typically make their least amount of power, versus the load it has to overcome. Engines need more throttle opening to develop their real power potential, or anything close to their rated power, and towing is one of the most demanding examples of this characteristic. Peak power, whether it's torque or horsepower, is only produced at WOT (wide-open throttle). So the key to increasing towing performance is increasing torque where it's always in shortest supply; on part-throttle at very low rpms.

In terms of what to expect from the Superchip, in round numbers it's going to increase peak horsepower by 10%-12%, and how to describe how it should feel, like it has about 10%-12% more peak power.

Let us know how it works out for you after you've made this same trip again, and good luck!

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

Friday I plan on towing the camper a little farther than normal. This will be a three day weekend for me. Most of the roads should be fairly flat. The only thing to worry about is the wind here in Kansas. It will be about a 2 1/2 hour drive. The tank will have 91 octain and super chip installed.

Will try to keep good records of what happens with engine and transmission. Then will put the results out.

Have a nice weekend everyone

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1997 F-150 XLT Extend Cab, 3 Door, 4.6L (Winsor), Long Bed, Tow Package, Teal over Silver, K&N Air Filter, Tow 27 Foot Travel Trailer, 2 repaired doors, Super Chip, Email bostondog@worldnet.att.net

 

IMO overdrive has us spoiled. We're all used to turning low revs on the road and we expect to do the same towing.
It wasn't THAT long ago that most trucks didn't have overdrive, and had to deal with the same towing issues.
Don't be scared to let that motor rev! Mods or not these small blocks only have so much down at the lower rev range. In my younger days I had a friend with a late 60s truck with a 302. When we towed the cars to the track that thing was turning 3100 or so the whole trip!

 

My brother has a 1995 F350 4x4 that has 4.10 gears, C6 auto with no OD and a 460 cid engine. He drove that from Ohio to New Orleans around 900 miles. I don't know what rpm it turns at 70 mph but it has to be over 3,000 rpm.

He can also tow 8,000 pounds like I tow 3,000. The only good thing is I can get 23 mpg on a trip & he gets 11 mpg.


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1997 F150 XLT
Debut sport truck
Ext. cab short bed
4.6l 3.55 tow pack *leather *K&N filter *Gibson swept side
*power rear slider
*soft tonneau
*full running boards
*timbren rubber springs *tekonsha brake control.
*bugflector II
*superchip
*rancho RS9000

http://community.webtv.net/rexor29/F150














[This message has been edited by ALLFORD (edited 09-22-2000).]

 

Hi Signmaster,

That is an *excellent* point, and oh-so-true. Over the past 5-8 years or so in these trucks, we have gotten used to being able to cruise in Overdrive with the cruise control set and get better mpg from turning so few rpms. That is a fairly recent development in these vehicles. The first time I experienced this was in the late 80's I bought a new 89 Corvette, after having driven older vehicles for some time. and was amazed that I was turning only 1400 rpm @ 70 mph, and getting 28 mpg! What a change having Overdrive and a 2.59 rear gear made in cruising!

This is one of the reasons why we try to point out this example, when you're cruising on the highway, you're at light throttle, and at low rpms, that's right where these engines make their *least* amount of power. Then we expect them to still stay in Overdrive when we put 4000-7000 lbs. out back, which isn't a reasonable expectation stock. A lot of them won't stay in Overdrive going up hills even without towing anything!

Overall, today's trucks are giving us more power for the size of the motor, and better fuel mileage. We simply have to work within their capabilities, or do a few mods that make them more capable of doing what we want, and that's what this is all about.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

I am wondering at what point do you step up to a h/d f250 or f350 with a v-10 or diesel. seems like pulling a 5900 lb. boat with gear and people i would probably consider the next size truck. i have pulled 5000 lb. with my 97 l/d f250 5.4 and it felt good but i dont know if i would add another 1000 lb to it.

 

Hi Brother Dave,

You raise an excellent point. I personally feel that the tow ratings on the F-150 & Light Duty F-250 are too high for comfortable towing at the upper end of those rated capacities.

It seems that right around the 5500 lb area, roughly, in terms of the amount of weight towed, it starts getting borderline, but that of course depends on the general terrain & speeds you want to be able to tow comfortably at. For some people who only see flat terrain, the smaller 5.4 gas motors can be OK, but a lot of people do have to deal with hills & grades, if not actual mountains.

I personally feel that if you're going to be towing anything much over 5500 lb. on any kind of regular basis, that this is about where the V-10's & PSD's start to become cost-effective, depending on your budget. PSD's can be had in certain configurations for well under $30K sticker price new, though of course the loaded models can have stickers approaching $40K loaded to the gills of course.

For me personally, I would choose the PSD over the V-10 gasoline engine for heavy towing. The PSD motor will generally last longer, get better mileage, and do a better job of towing in comparison to the V-10 under heavy sustained loads. Of course if you'd dead-set against having a diesel, then the V-10 is certainly a viable alternative.

Best of luck whatever you decide,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

Tecate Virgin: My experience with gear ratios and fuel mileage are right in line with your observations.

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Y2K™ Jim

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Conocoan,

I see that you and several others are towing in OD. Aren't you worried about hurting the trans? I had a Suburban ( I know its' a Chevy and not a Ford so I should expect it ) and towed a fairly light boat too often in OD and wasted it.

Just making sure.

Greg

 

Hi Greg,

If you don't mind a reply from me, it isn't just towing in Overdrive that does the damage to those newer automatic transmissions; it's towing a heavy load and "hunting" in and out of Overdrive that actually causes the damage, from the strain on the transmission. If it will stay in Overdrive, today's Ford automatics will take it.

However, if it starts "hunting" in and out of Overdrive (4th gear), you should turn off the Overdrive and leave it of until you get up the grade, etc.

You are quite correct in that it *used* to be with Ford early AOD transmissions, towing in Overdrive at all wasn't recommended, but that has changed since they've "fixed" most of the basic reliability problems they were having previously with the O/D.

Of course, every vehicle owner has to do whatever makes them feel most comfortable.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I have a 2001 4x4 Screw with a K&N, cat-back,chip, 4.6 V8 and 3.55 LS gears. I tow a 5K lbs. boat and always tow with the OD off unless its downhill. I try not to drive much above 65 because the revs get up there. Are you saying its OK to drive in OD so long as the trans holds it there?

Greg

 

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I have a 2001 4x4 Screw with a K&N, cat-back,chip, 4.6 V8 and 3.55 LS gears. I tow a 5K lbs. boat and always tow with the OD off unless its downhill. I try not to drive much above 65 because the revs get up there. Are you saying its OK to drive in OD so long as the trans holds it there?

Greg

 

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I have a 2001 4x4 Screw with a K&N, cat-back,chip, 4.6 V8 and 3.55 LS gears. I tow a 5K lbs. boat and always tow with the OD off unless its downhill. I try not to drive much above 65 because the revs get up there. Are you saying its OK to drive in OD so long as the trans holds it there?

Greg

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2001 SuperCrew, 4.6, 3.55LS leer shell w/ rack, complete tow and off road pkg. K&N, catback,

 

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I have a 2001 4x4 Screw with a K&N, cat-back,chip, 4.6 V8 and 3.55 LS gears. I tow a 5K lbs. boat and always tow with the OD off unless its downhill. I try not to drive much above 65 because the revs get up there. Are you saying its OK to drive in OD so long as the trans holds it there?

Greg

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2001 SuperCrew, 4.6, 3.55LS leer shell w/ rack, complete tow and off road pkg. K&N, catback,

 

Has anyone tried Mobil gas? How is it compared with Chevron. I loved Chevron in CA but they do not have that here at Ft. Lost in the Woods, MO. Anyone heard of Voss? What brand do they use?

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2001 F150 Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 with 5.4L V8, 3.55 Diff
Options: Class III Trailer Towing Group, 4x4 Skid Plates, Electonic Shift on the Fly, 17-inch 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels, Moonroof, sliding rear window, bed extender, keyless & remote entry, cab steps, Line-X bedliner